Scientists Find a Gene That Enables a Plant to Become a Vampire

Scientists Find a Gene That Enables a Plant to Become a Vampire

Scientists have found a gene that gives the parasitic plant Cuscuta campestris, a powerful sense of touch. The gene CcMCA1 helps the plant create mechanosensitive ion channels, that allow it to recognise when it has coiled around a victim, and start producing tools to rob other plants. Cuscuta campestris, also known as dodder, lacks chlorophyll and so cannot make its own food. Instead it survives by stabbing inserting specialised organs called h…